METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15763, 2 March 1922, Page 9

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

PIIF CENTENARY FKSTTYAI

(per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night

The Town Hall was crowded last evening for the centenary festival of the Methodist Conference. The chair was occupied by the Rev. 0. 11. Laws. The (lovernor-t leneral was to have presided, but important business prevented it, and be telegraphed his cordial good wishes.

The Revs. <l. Hargreaves (England). A. McC'alhtm (Australia), and Bishop Lock (America), in eloquent speeches, conveyed the goodwill and congratulations of their several churches. The conference met for luncheon at the Town Hall to-day, when there were about 270 present. The lion. O. J. Parr presided in the absence of Mr. Massey, whose apologies and cordial greetings he tendered.

Replying to the toast of tbe "Dominion,” the Minister emphasised the debt owing to tlie early missionaries. He noted with interest the efforts being made by the Church to secure Bible reading in schools, and lie predicted that their efforts would not be very successful unless the various churches join ed forces and spoke with one voice. The feature of New Zealand would be greatly bellied by the work of the Education Department. About 72 per cent, of the children passing through the primary schools go on to the secondary schools. The medical and denial services to the schools under the Child Welfare Department were certain to be of great value in tlie future.

The conference passed a resolution that it was so impressed with the magnitude and rapid growth of gambling that, every Methodist Church should be urged to offer concerted and determined opposition to legislation in the interests of racing clubs. The conference further recorded its conviction that the present anti-gambling laws are imperfectly administered, and desires to call the attention of the Government to this conviction.

The Removal Expenses Commit!oe recommended, and it was adopted, that the cost of the removals be borne by the whole Church, whieh would divide, the cost over a number of years. A separate fund would be established by means of a levy of 1 per cent, upon the amount paid in ministerial stipends by the circuits.

The fire insurance fund committee's report was adopted, and the treasurers were authorised to pay to the Centenary Fund £3OO. to the benevolent branch of the supernumerary fund £ICO, and to the Deaconesses’ House Committee £IOO, the balance to be added to the accumulated funds.

The Rev. S. La-wry was re-appointed general secretary for a period of two years.

Tliis evening a memorial service for ministers who died during the year was held, the Rev. ,T. ,T. Lewis delivering an address.